Nicolas Catinat

Catinat, Nicolas (nēkōläˈ kätēnäˈ) [key], 1637–1712, marshal of France. The son of a magistrate, he won promotion by merit rather than by wealth or descent. In the War of the Grand Alliance he commanded against Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy, whom he defeated in N Italy at Staffarda (1690) and at Marsaglia (1693). Early in the War of the Spanish Succession, he commanded the French army in Italy, against Prince Eugene of Savoy, but after suffering reverses he was replaced. He retired in 1705 and later wrote his memoirs.